Chimborazo, Cayambe & Iliniza Norte

Chimborazo, Cayambe & Iliniza Norte in 6 Days

Chimborazo (20,702ft/6.268m) is Ecuador’s highest peak. For many years European climbers thought it was the highest mountain in the world. In fact, it is the highest mountain if measured from the centre of the Earth, and it’s the mountain closest to the sun due to the Earth’s equatorial bulge. The first ascent was made by the famous expeditionary Edward Whymper back in 1892. The mountain has four main summits.

Travel program

Itinerary:

Day 1: Quito (2800 m) – Iliniza Norte (5126 m)

Day 2: El Chaupi (3300 m) – Cayambe Refuge (4600 m)

Day 3: Cayambe Refuge – Cayambe Summit (5790 m) – Quito

Day 4: Quito – Baños (1800 m)

Day 5: Baños – Hermanos Carrel Refuge Chimborazo (16,400 ft/5000 m)

Day 6: Chimborazo Summit (20,702 ft/6268 m) – Quito

Detailed Program

Day 1:Quito (2800 m) – Iliniza Norte (5126 m)
We will leave from Quito in the morning (7am) and drive through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until we get to the village of “El Chaupi”, then continue driving up to “La Virgen parking lot” (12,795 ft/3900 m). Once there, we will start a 3-hour hike up to the “Nuevos Horizontes Refuge” (15,580 ft/4750 m). After relaxing for 15 minutes we will continue hiking up towards the saddle formed between both peaks and then to Illiniza Norte summit (16,818 ft/ 5126 m). The approach to the top involves an easy 3-hour scrambling. Once at the summit, we will enjoy and admire the beautiful surroundings. It will take us around 7 hours round trip. Lodging in the Hostal Andes Alpes www.andesalpescafe.com

Day 2:El Chaupi (3300 m) – Cayambe Refuge (4600 m)
Cayambe is a massive glaciated extinct volcano. It is located about 95 km Northeast of El Chaupi and is the highest point on the surface of the earth through which the equator directly passes. Cayambe is the third highest mountain in Ecuador. It is characterized by good climbing opportunities and impressive glaciers, with easy access from the comfortable hut Ruales Oleas Cayambe Refuge. We will arrive at the shelter after about 3.5 hours of driving and then rest for a couple of hours at the Refuge, until dinner time. (B/D)

Day 3:Cayambe Refuge – Cayambe Summit (5790 m) – Quito
We will wake up at midnight, get a light breakfast, put our gear on and start our climb around 1am; the ascent takes about 6 to 7 hours. The route to the summit follows a safe glacier terrain to the summit. A gaping bergschrund sometimes presents a challenge in route finding and an exciting extra obstacle. Once at the summit (18,996 ft/5790 m) we will take our time for pictures of the surroundings, and then we will head back to the refuge in 2 to 3 hours. At the Refuge we will rest for a while, then start packing our belongings in order to drive to Quito. (B/D)

Day 4:El Chaupi – Baños (1800 m) FREE DAY
From El Chaupi, we will drive south to the town of Baños de Agua Santa. The town and its surroundings offer many possibilities like: the route of waterfalls, hikes inside the “cloud forest”, or, depending on your interest and budget, rafting, rock climbing, bungee jumping, mountain biking, horseback riding, etc. Night in hotel (B)

Day 5:Baños – Hermanos Carrel Refuge Chimborazo (16,400 ft/5000 m)
This picturesque town offers you the opportunity to spend an unforgettable day, for example, you could relax in the famous hot springs. Afterwards we will drive to the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve entrance (2 hours), then to the Hermanos Carrel Refuge (15,744 ft/4800 m), where we’ll have dinner and get some rest until 11pm. An early light breakfast will be served just before getting ready with our gear and starting the climb (B/BL/D)

Day 6:Chimborazo Summit (20,702 ft/6268 m) – Quito
At midnight we will start our climb to the top of Ecuador’s highest mountain, Chimborazo, which will take us about 8 to 9 hours. We’ll get to the summit (20,702ft/6268m) in the early hours, which is the perfect spot for resting and taking pictures of the beautiful surroundings. We’ll then start our descent back to the refuge which will take us from 3 to 4 hours. Once at the refuge we’ll pack our gear and drive back to Quito. (B)

Quito –Transfer to the Airport – Flight to Europe or your country of origin.